mrmandap

NHMC generally prefers CSUN students since we do a lot of clinicals there, but most of my classmates got hired in hospitals that they've never had clinicals in, so it really depends. I started applying in 4th semester. Usually I'd apply during nursing leadership class because I was bored

Hi almondhoneybee, I was in cohort 9 and graduated in December 2012. I passed the NCLEX in January 2013 and was hired at Northridge Hospital in February 2013. I now work full time at NHMC and per diem at Olive View Medical Center. So yes, this program gives you the ability to compete in my opinion. However, I was the second person to be offered a job in my class.... the last of my cohort just landed a job a couple weeks ago, so it took that person over a year to find a job. Most of us were able to land a job within 6 months of graduating or less. Some classes were easy and some were hard, it depends on which professor you get (they changed it up since my time from what I hear from current students). It also depends on your interests. CSUN was definitely the right choice for me. I was able to pay off my loans in no time and I absolutely LOVE my classmates. Now if only they'd offer MSN in nursing education I'd definitely be back.

@Expharmagirl I read that too from previous application periods. I'm not sure. Did you upload your letters of rec?

Do we have to upload letters of rec? It doesn't explicitly give any directions for it (doesn't even have it as a requirement), but wouldn't they want to see them?

I'm graduating this December (7 more weeks). Any leads on KP's new grad program for 2013?

@danceluver: That's mainly it. Most of the time you can choose between two sites -- except the first semester, where you're assigned based on your last name. Everyone for sure has to go to the VA for geri. And I think everyone goes to Northridge for psych. 1st semester: Kaiser Panorama/Valley Presbyterian 2nd semester: Northridge/St. Joseph (Med-Surg rotation); VA (geriatric) 3rd semester: Northridge (Psych rotation); Children's Hospital/Valley Pres (Pediatrics) 4th semester: Ventura/Antelope Valley (leadership) Depending on where you live, it should take ~30min to get to the sites. For Children's hospital, past cohorts met up at the subway and took the subway there, so that took longer. Clinicals run 0645-1900. 1st semester was 0645-1700. VA runs 0800-1645. 1st semester, we had clinicals every Saturday. 2nd semester, it's every Wednesday and Saturday for med-surg, and every-other-Friday for geri. Not sure yet how the other semesters play out.

No grants because it's a second bachelors. The best you can get is a $12,500 loan/year through FAFSA, which is part subsidized and part non-subsidized. I'm not sure if it covers summer (which I should start worrying about because I'll have to figure out how I'm going to pay for the upcoming summer session). You can always look at private loans and nursing scholarships (there's a great need-based one through the Kaiser Deloras Jones Scholarship fund.. it's worth $1,000) I live at home right now. I did get lucky because I live 10 minutes away from campus. One classmate lives by himself at an apartment across the street from school, so he bikes to class and to Northridge hospital clinicals. Another girl is renting out a room in Granada Hills (I'm thinking ~$700/month). Another girl moved with her boyfriend from Las Vegas and has an apartment in Woodland Hills. If you're going to live alone, you will be spending at least $1,300/month on an apartment. Try to find someone to split rent, or bring your significant other along for the ride. If you're going to move, I'd suggest moving close to campus. Santa Monica is too far -- traffic will be hell. I'd look in Northridge/Porter Ranch/Granada Hills/North Hills area. Clinical sites are as follows: Northridge Hospital (5 min away from campus), St. Joseph's (Burbank), Kaiser (Panorama City), VA (North Hills), Valley Presbyterian (Van Nuys), Children's Hospital (LA). So, a lot of the sites are in the San Fernando valley.. maybe that will also help you make your decision.

@michelle1985 i am a csun alum (c/o 2009). i don't think that being an alum helps or hurts you, honestly. i was rejected the first time and had to wait two years (initially wanted to be in cohort 5, but i'm now in cohort 9) to get in. however, in my cohort, there are 2 other csun alums who graduated (c/o 2010, c/o 1995).

Hey all, I am in Cohort 9 at CSUN's ABSN program. I know you want to hear testimonials! I remember getting my interview at the end of February last year and my acceptance by the end of March... so it's fast approaching you guys. How is the program? Well, I was already in the middle of my 1st semester at an ADN program (College of the Canyons) when I got my acceptance letter, so I figured that I will simply repeat the 1st semester again at CSUN. Honestly, 1st semester didn't seem "accelerated" at all at CSUN. As a matter of fact, I thought College of the Canyons was MUCH more strict! Right now, I'm in the middle of my second semester. All I can say is that it goes from 0-100mph. Right now, I'm taking 19 units. 12-hour shifts at Northridge hospital twice a week, 8-hour shift at the VA every other week. Class 3x week. I decided to take Epi this semester, although most of my cohort is waiting until the summer to do it. Second semester requires more work, but I'm having a lot more fun - a lot more hands on experience with clinicals than 1st semester that's for sure. I'm really starting to feel like I'm doing more "nurse" things, rather than CNA and textbook work. A lot of my cohort members have some issues with certain courses. There seems to be a lot of "teach yourself" the course material, so that leaves more burden on the students because of lack of direction in the course work. We've been speaking up about this issue, but we don't know if it'll do anything. That's all I feel comfortable sharing on a public forum! Overall, I love the program. I love my cohort. We support each other and have grown very close these past few months. Good luck all of you. Oh, and if you do get in, I HIGHLY encourage you to take Epi in the FIRST semester. I wish I did that.

hey all- has anyone gotten any offers of financial aid from csun? i just checked mine and it states that i have "no fin aid awards for viewing in this aid year." i'm wondering if it's because they haven't processed mine yet (i submitted my fin aid verification sheet only about a week ago), or is it because they simply didn't award me anything? i'm a bit worried because if it's the latter, then i'd have to start looking into taking out loans from my bank pronto.

Heads up- got my orientation packing in my email today =)

I've decided to start in the fall. In retrospect, I probably should have chosen summer rather than wait the extra 3 months. So excited!

@doggymama23 I haven't received anything yet. I was told it would be through e-mail. Did I hear wrong?

Pre-nursing GPA 4.0 Bachelor GPA 3.84 4 years volunteer in hospital 1 year volunteer at dialysis facility 1/2 year volunteer at doctor's office 2 references from CSUN professors, 1 from MD CNA license, Monitor tech certification I was rejected the first time I applied 2 years ago, but they wanted me now!

I just got the call..... I got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They asked me if I have a preference between starting in the summer or fall and how flexible I am. I told them that I prefer summer, however, I'm extremely flexible. CSUN ABSN c/o 2012!!!!!!! This has to be, hands down, the greatest day of my life :)